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What Is Refractory Asthma?
Question: I have what they are calling refractory asthma which at the moment is really good and seems to be controlled. I am still on XXXXXXX doses of symbicort. I am actually just trying to understand the definitions of refractory asthma? Are they just saying the it is hard to keep controlled?
Thanks XXXXXXX :)
Thanks XXXXXXX :)
Brief Answer:
Refractory asthma is difficult to treat asthma
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thank you for writing to us.
Refractory asthma has many different names, some Chest Physicians refer to this entity as 'steroid -dependant asthma' (but this is oral steroids we are talking about), or 'difficult-to-treat asthma' (where conventional doses of inhaled steroids like your Symbicort does not keep it under control), or refractory asthma as you say.
There can be different reasons why the asthma can be dificult to treat such as:
1. Concurrent sinusitis, so ensure you are on some form of nasal steroids if the nose is a problem;
2. Gastroeosphageal reflux disease (GERD), that might need additional tablets to lower the gastric (stomach) acid secretion such as with Rabeprazole.
3. ABPA, a condition where aspergillus (a fungus) colonises the lungs and starts to exacerbate the asthma. Tests required: HRCT Chest & Precipitins (blood test)
4. Correct inhaler technique and correct doses of steroids & long acting beta agonists.
Hope this was useful.
Best Wishes.
Refractory asthma is difficult to treat asthma
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thank you for writing to us.
Refractory asthma has many different names, some Chest Physicians refer to this entity as 'steroid -dependant asthma' (but this is oral steroids we are talking about), or 'difficult-to-treat asthma' (where conventional doses of inhaled steroids like your Symbicort does not keep it under control), or refractory asthma as you say.
There can be different reasons why the asthma can be dificult to treat such as:
1. Concurrent sinusitis, so ensure you are on some form of nasal steroids if the nose is a problem;
2. Gastroeosphageal reflux disease (GERD), that might need additional tablets to lower the gastric (stomach) acid secretion such as with Rabeprazole.
3. ABPA, a condition where aspergillus (a fungus) colonises the lungs and starts to exacerbate the asthma. Tests required: HRCT Chest & Precipitins (blood test)
4. Correct inhaler technique and correct doses of steroids & long acting beta agonists.
Hope this was useful.
Best Wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Well, that sounds like me!! I have actually been good for about a month without prednisone but from October through to the end of March I was off and on prednisone with a week in hospital.
Thank you for answering, I have been trying to find a definition that made sense and had some classification to it so now I get it. Thank you :)
Thank you for answering, I have been trying to find a definition that made sense and had some classification to it so now I get it. Thank you :)
Brief Answer:
You are most welcome
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
I am glad that the answer made sense.
Best Wishes.
You are most welcome
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
I am glad that the answer made sense.
Best Wishes.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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